BEST OF BRITISH 16 FASCINATING DAYS | LONDON RETURN We take the time to do Britain justice…. from to the ‘bravehearts’ of and Tintern’s romantic Abbey. Discover the Kingmakers of Warwick and learn of Australia’s own heritage in Captain Cook’s Whitby. Soak up the history of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon and indulge in traditional British fare. As a finale, be treated like royalty with an overnight stay in magnificent Leeds Castle!

TOUR INCLUSIONS ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager Travel in a first class air-conditioned touring coach 15 nights specially selected hotel accommodation Hotel porterage (1 bag per person) 25 Meals – including breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 9 dinners Tea, coffee and a complimentary beverage with all included dinners Afternoon tea at Betty’s tearooms in Harrogate Hand Selected Albatross Experiences - Private cruise Lake Windermere, Captain Cook's Whitby Local guides as described in the itinerary ALL tips to your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Personal audio system whilst on tour Free WiFi at hotels Add a subheading “The places we visited were wonderful. We enjoyed the unique THE ALBATROSS DIFFERENCE hotel accommodation and the most Leisurely 2 and 3 night stays special place was of course Leeds Small group sizes - from just 10 to 28 Castle where we were made to feel Genuinely inclusive, NO extra 'on tour' costs very important.” Ellaine & Kim Stay in traditional style hotels in superb locations Easier days with 'My Time' guaranteed! TOUR ITINERARY: BEST OF BRITISH

Day 1: Stonehenge and Bath Your tour departs from central London at 9am. Travelling west we reach the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury. After time at leisure for lunch, we visit the remarkable megaliths of Stonehenge, situated on the Salisbury Plain. Later, we continue to Bath where we stay for the next three nights.

Day 2: Glastonbury and 'My Time' in Bath A leisurely start this morning before we drive into Somerset to visit Britain’s earliest Christian sanctuary – the famous ruins of Glastonbury. Legendary burial place of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere, Glastonbury was once the grandest and richest abbey in England. Later we visit Bath’s famous Roman Baths and Pump room. The remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore Bath’s picturesque Abbey, the Georgian crescents, sights and shops.

Day 3: Tintern Abbey, Chepstow Castle and the Clifton Suspension Bridge This morning we take a scenic drive beside the winding, picturesque River Wye through the delightful Welsh borderlands. The highlight of your day will be a visit to the ancient ruins of Tintern’s Cistercian Abbey, romantically set in a peaceful forest and providing inspiration to poets through the centuries. We will also visit Monmouth and enjoy a photo stop at Chepstow Castle. Set high above the River Wye, this Norman Castle dates back nearly 1,000 years. On the outskirts of Bristol we will also stop to take in the majestic Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, which gracefully spans the River Avon. Later we return to Bath. Dinner tonight is included in a local restaurant.

Day 4: Medieval Chester & Heading north, we arrive into Chester late morning. Rich in Roman ruins, Chester also has a wonderfully preserved medieval centre, full of half-timbered houses and the famous ‘Rows’ – double level, balconied shopping arcades that date back to the Middle Ages, 700 years ago. Whilst exploring this incredibly historic town make sure you take a walk along the perfectly preserved, red stone, Roman city walls. Mid afternoon we continue to the picturesque Lake District where we stay two nights. TOUR ITINERARY: BEST OF BRITISH

Day 5: Lake District sightseeing We will spend a delightful day touring the famous Lake District. This morning we visit Ambleside and Grasmere where, we have included entrance to the Wordsworth Museum and a guided visit through Dove Cottage, once home to the poet William Wordsworth. In the afternoon we enjoy a cruise on Lake Windermere.

Day 6: New and Crossing into Scotland we enjoy a morning tea stop in Gretna Green before we reach the New Lanark World Heritage Site, a sensitively restored 18th century cotton mill village in South . The giant mill wheels still sit over the torrential river and the 200 year old terraced houses have been restored offering an intriguing look at the workers family life two centuries ago. Later we continue to Edinburgh, where we stay for the next three nights. Before arriving at your hotel we have included a tour and tasting to sample a ‘wee tipple’ at the Scotch Whisky Experience.

Day 7: Edinburgh sightseeing and ‘My Time’ After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we are joined by a local guide to discover this city’s rich history. The highlights today include visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia and crossing the drawbridge to visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city’s skyline. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure in this grand city.

Day 8: Callander and ancient Stirling Today you have a choice – enjoy a free day in Edinburgh or join us as we visit Stirling and the Trossachs. This morning we travel to the Trossachs and the town of Callander, in the heart of Rob Roy country. Set dramatically beneath high, wooded crags, this delightful town with its tearooms, craft and woollen shops makes the ideal morning tea stop. Continuing on we visit Stirling, the ancient capital of Scotland, that lies at the heart of the nation’s history. The streets of the old town wind upwards towards the castle, 250 feet up on a craggy rock. Our local guide takes us through this grand fortification, with its splendid views across the countryside to the Wallace Monument – built in commemoration of this legendary Scottish hero, William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace. Tonight we have arranged an unmissable evening. Enjoy dinner, including a taste of haggis, neeps and tatties & traditional Scottish entertainment including bagpipes, fiddles and dance.

Day 9: Alnwick Castle & Durham Crossing the border into England and Northumbria, we reach striking Alnwick Castle where we have included a privately guided visit. Dating back 1000 years, the grand staterooms and lavish furnishings will not disappoint. Home to the current Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle is also famous for having featured in numerous TV series and movies, such as special editions of Downton Abbey, and of course as mysterious ‘Hogwarts’ in the Harry Potter series. In the afternoon we enjoy a stop in the beautiful city of Durham with its majestic cathedral. Later, we continue to the historic walled town of York where we stay the next three nights. Tonight promises to be memorable as we dine at the Guy Fawkes Inn. Standing in the shadow of York Minster, this is the birthplace of the notorious plotter Guido Fawkes. TOUR ITINERARY: BEST OF BRITISH

Day 10: York sightseeing and Betty’s Café Tea Rooms This morning will be spent exploring York. Following an orientation walk around the city with your Tour Manager, the rest of the morning will be at leisure. The Minster, the largest gothic church in England is a must see, whilst the narrow streets around the historic ‘Shambles’ (the preserved medieval street) offer great shopping or, perhaps take a leisurely walk along the Roman built city walls. This afternoon we indulge in a decadent afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches, handmade cakes, scones and specialty teas at ‘Betty’s Café Tea Rooms’, with its art deco interior, curved windows and ornate mirrors.

Day 11: Train to Whitby, Whitby Abbey & Captain Cook Museum Driving north, we stop at Pickering where we board a heritage train of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the ride to the coastal town of Whitby, once home to the famous explorer Captain Cook. Sit back and relax as we pass by charming villages. Arriving in Whitby, we visit both Whitby’s Benedictine abbey and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and enjoy a fish and chip lunch. Your evening is at leisure in York.

Day 12: Chatsworth House & Stratford-upon-Avon A leisurely start as we drive south into Derbyshire to reach Chatsworth mid morning. Here we enjoy a guided visit of stately Chatsworth House with its glorious interior, treasure rooms and gardens complete with an ornate maze and the 300 year old water ‘Cascade’, falling 200 metres down the hill in a series of 24 steps. Arriving in Stratford-upon-Avon we settle into our hotel, where we stay for the next three nights.

Day 13: Warwick Castle and ‘My Time’ in Stratford-upon-Avon This morning we visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage and afterwards, nearby Warwick and its medieval castle. An expert local guide will join us to breathe life into a thousand years of secrets which hide in the shadows of the castle – tales of murder, mystery, intrigue and scandal. After also visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace the rest of the day and evening will be free to relax and wander the streets of Elizabethan Stratford-upon-Avon. TOUR ITINERARY: BEST OF BRITISH

Day 14: Oxford and the Cotswolds Day 16: To London Today we visit Oxford, home to one of Europe’s Mid morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we will oldest and most famous universities. A local guide transfer to St Pancras and Paddington stations, in takes us on a walking tour around the city and its central London, where your tour ends. colleges. Later this afternoon we will wander leisurely through one of the most beautiful and unique regions in England – the Cotswolds. Our country drive will take us through famous villages such as Bourton-on-the- Water and we enjoy an DATES AND PRICES afternoon stop in Broadway. Tonight enjoy a traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings in a Please visit our website for dates, prices and to local restaurant. check availability for this tour.

Day 15: Magnificent Leeds Castle NEED TO KNOW Travelling south we skirt London and enjoy a Our tours require a moderate level of fitness due to morning stop in Windsor. Later we continue into the unique places we visit and stay. This tour is not the heart of Kent and arrive at Leeds Castle where suited to anyone who has mobility issues. we stay our last, and most memorable night! Set romantically on an island surrounded by a broad moat, the Castle, Gatehouse and Maiden’s tower HOW TO BOOK comprise one of the world’s greatest sights. Book online at www.albatrosstours.com Tonight the entire castle becomes ours to enjoy! We have included a private tour through the grand Or contact our European tour specialists: staterooms, halls, library, chapel and the 13th AUSTRALIA: 1300 135 015 century section of the castle. Later, in the Library, NEW ZEALAND: 0800 446 232 we will enjoy a pre-dinner drink before our farewell INTERNATIONAL: +61 7 3221 5353 dinner in Lady Baillie’s Dining Room. EMAIL: [email protected]